Persona Grata is a progressive rock group formed in Bratislava, Slovakia. The band, known for their signature sound and original material, is bringing a new quality to the Progrock Genre. Influenced by groups such as Yes, Dream Theater and contemporary Muse, the band has developed a sound focused on melody and complex rhythms, which has evolved from the above inspirations.
Словакия
The band was formed in 1999 when the keyboardist Adam Kuruc and the solo guitarist Martin Huba joined and the band and since that time Persona Grata went through various stages; members were changing, technology was changing and most of all the musical taste of band members was evolving in different directions
It just happens to be, that the music Persona Grata creates and loves can best be described as “Progressive Rock”. As in their opinion “there is no other genre that holds such immense possibilities, so expressive and enabling to work with such contrasts”. Persona’s music is full of rhythmical structures and odd-time grooves. Combined with raw energy it offers excitement which is - according to band members - very hard to achieve while playing any other type of music and gives great freedom of musical expression.
Persona Grata started to work on the debut album Reaching Places High Above couple of years ago. Once the whole concept was finished, the band was constantly rethinking arrangements, adding and removing layers, minimizing and expanding different parts until finally a demo version was finished from a production standpoint. Professional mix and master gave a final touch to the current sound of the album, which was officially released in August 2013.
Recently PG went thru major changes. Band’s keyboard player was offered an unique opportunity as a music composer in the film and game industry which he decided to pursue and therefore had to leave the band. Shortly after, solo guitarist followed his own musical career.
Finding the right band members that could stand up to the legacy of the previous ones proved to be a real challenge. Nevertheless, not long after that the right people were found: Matej Miklos – a composer, keyboardist and an amazing performer and Peter Luha – a man with stunning guitar technique, great feeling and experience.
Persona Grata immediately started to work on the following album – as a first thing finished up the new single Forevermore as a showcase of the new formation and band’s new sound
MARTIN STAVROVSKY - vocals, rhythm guitar
PETER LUHA - electric guitar
MATEJ MIKLOS – keyboards
JAN STENO - drums and percussions
TIMO STRIES - bass guitar